The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-07-21
LIFELONG FRIENDSHIP.
4 Bond Which ID Very Uncommon Anos
tl.S ms r1ra m ~ T0- nav.

4 Bond which 10 Very Uncommon An0og
the Americans Of To-Day.
Oriental friendships were formed for
life, after such examples as David and
Jonathan, Damon and Pythias- They
were the most sacred Of experiences
Such friendships are not as common
to-day, although Tcnnyson, in In
Mcmoriam,' sings Of such an attach
mcnt. In the old days man esteemed
his bosom friend better than himself
Ipsaga, according to japanese tradi-
ton, was statesman who ruled IN the
kingdom Of Niphon. with great wisdom
for many years. Never had the needs
and rights Of the people received IS
much care and protection as from this
sage, who was dcvotcdly loved by
them. Ipsaga had secretary who
had lived with him since his youth,
and grown gray at his work. This old
man died suddenly. aud Oh the same
day the Prime Minister resigned his
position and acknowledged that all
the learning, the wisdom, the power
which he had exhibited had belonged
to this poor man, who had exertcd il
and ignored himself in behalf Of his
friend, to procure him honor and re-
nown. "Ipsaga," say the Japanese
moralists, twas useful man, bat his
poor servant whose name nobody
knows, was great hero, for no sacri.
feed himself for his friend"
Our own Indian tribes preserve
many traditions of the loyalty Of
braves who have sworn friendship TO
each other. The Sioux have maxim,
LET man be false to his father, his
son. or his chief, but keep faith with
his friend"
The Germans and Russians have
much the same idea in their code o9
morals. and Russian folk rc Is full Of
pathetic instances Of self-sacrif1cc By
friends for each other.
There Is true story in English his.
tory which surpasses them al, how.
ever: that OF some Of the band Of mo-
bic youths who under Babington con-
spired TO place Mary Queen Of Scots
on the throne Of Elizabeth. Tho lead.
ers OF the conspiracy wore actuatcd BY
loyalty to the Stuarts, bat two Of the
number joined it to "share the danger
of their pledged friends" One, on
being called upon for his defence, 70.
Piled:
"Itook the part of my friend. and
so only fulfilled the duty Of friend. "
But" replied the judge, in 40 do.
ing you turned against your sover.
cign."
He bowed and made answer: 'Thers.
in was my offense."
The punishment was death By the
horrible torture of quartering and
hanging. One noble lad was offered
liberty If he would bctray the whero-
abouts of leader who had escaped.
my case is hard" he said, "either
to betray my friend, whom love Is
myself. or to undo myself forever. But
will not discover Tom Salisbury unto
yon.''
And" continues the ancient chron-
icler, The died silent"
In the early history Of this country,
friendships which lasted during life
time were more common than now,
between men or women. Indeed,
nothing Is more uncommon now among
Americans than such bond. Young
men find comrades at college. and
pledge fealty to each other, but in ten
years their wives and children and the
pursuit Of fortune have wholly crushed
out this early feeling, which thcv snosr
at as sentimental weakness. Is 1t SOP
or Is 1t the universal greed for success.
which has leveled so many heights ia
life for us, that has taken from US also
this emotion, which all other nat,oos
have found strengthening and enno-
pling?-YosIth's Companion.